China Tightens Energy Targets

Efficiency Goals for Some Power-Guzzling Sectors Are Set More Sharply Than Last Year

By

Chuin-Wei Yap

February 28, 2012

BEIJING—China is calling for energy-intensive industries such as steel and textile manufacturing to reduce their energy consumption more sharply compared with targets set last year, in a move intended to help cull obsolete capacity to contribute to efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

The move comes as China faces pressure both at home and abroad to curb its dependence on fossil fuels such as oil and coal, as well as its rising...